Your obstetrician from Genesee Valley OB/GYN will review any medications you are currently taking to decide what is safe to continue taking during pregnancy. Some medications and herbal supplements can increase your chance of birth defects, and your doctor will review any medication you may need to stop taking if
you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen, allergy medicine, and cold medicines are generally safe to take, while aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided. Before you start or stop any medicine, it is always best to speak with the doctor who is caring for you while you are pregnant.Safe Medications for Pregnant Women
Approved Over-the-Counter Medications During Pregnancy
Pain Medication
Nausea
Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Extra Strength Tylenol DO NOT USE: Aspirin, Motrin, Advil (Ibuprofen), Aleve (unless specifically by your healthcare provider)
Try small frequent meals. Ginger Ale, Vitamin B6, Sea Bands Sweet fruit syrup from canned fruits, i.e. pears/peaches
Anthistamines
Heartburn, Indigestion, Gas
Zyrtec, Claritin, Benadryl, Dimetapp
Maalox, Mylanta, Zantac, Pepcid AC, Tums, Rolaids
Decongestants
Cough/Colds
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine), Robitussin CF, Tylenol Cold and Sinus, Actifed, Dimetapp
Robitussin (cough)
Insomnia
Yeast Infections
Benadryl (for occasional use only)
Monistat 3 or 7
Hemorrhoids
Toothache
Preparation H, Tucks
Extra Strength Tylenol
Diarrhea
Constipation
Imodium AD or Kaopectate BRAT Diet (banana, rice, applesauce, toast)
Increase fluid intake, Colace, Metamucil
How to Treat a Cold or Flu When You’re Pregnant
- Medications
- Home remedies
- Cold or flu?
- Reducing risk
- Call a doctor
When you become pregnant, everything that happens to you can affect not just your body but the fetus, too. This can make dealing with being sick more complicated. Before pregnancy, if you got a cold or became sick with the flu, you may have taken an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant. Now that you’re pregnant, you might wonder whether it’s safe. Although medications can relieve your symptoms, some may harm a developing fetus. But treating a cold or flu during pregnancy doesn’t have to be a stressful experience, and you can take many medications while pregnant.
According to most OB-GYNs, it’s best to avoid all medications in the first
12 weeksof pregnancy. That’s a critical time for the development of a fetus’s vital organs. It’s a good idea to speak with your doctor if you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant and currently taking medication or considering taking medication. Several medications are considered safe after 12 weeks of pregnancy. These include:
- topical menthol
- nasal strips
- cough drops or lozenges
- acetaminophen (Tylenol) for aches, pains, and fevers
- cough suppressant at night
- expectorant during the day
- calcium-carbonate (Mylanta, Tums) or similar medications for heartburn, nausea, or upset stomach
- plain cough syrup
- dextromethorphan (Robitussin) and dextromethorphan-guaifenesin (Robitussin DM) cough syrups
Avoid all-in-one medications that combine ingredients to tackle many symptoms. Instead, choose single medications for the symptoms you’re dealing with. You should also avoid the following medications while pregnant unless your doctor recommends you take them. They increase the risk for problems:
- aspirin (Bayer)
- ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
- codeine
- Bactrim, an antibiotic
When you get sick while pregnant, your first steps should be to:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink a lot of fluids.
- Gargle with warm salt water if you have a sore throat or cough.
If your symptoms worsen, you might want to try:
- saline nasal drops and sprays to loosen nasal mucus and soothe inflamed nasal tissue
- breathing warm, humid air to help ease congestion; a facial steamer, hot-mist vaporizer, or even a hot shower can work
- chicken soup to help relieve inflammation and soothe congestion
- adding honey or lemon to a warm cup of decaffeinated tea to relieve a sore throat
- using hot and cold packs to alleviate sinus pain
The common cold and the flu share many symptoms, such as a cough and runny nose. However, a few differences can help you tell them apart. If your symptoms are generally mild, then you likely have a cold. Also, chills and fatigue are more likely with the flu.
When you’re pregnant, your body’s immune system becomes weaker to prevent your body from rejecting the fetus. But, it also leaves you more vulnerable to viral and bacterial infections. Pregnant people are also
more likelythan nonpregnant folks their age to have flu complications. These complications may include pneumonia, bronchitis, or sinus infections. Getting a flu vaccination can reduce your risk of infection and complications. Other things you can do to reduce your risk of getting sick include:
- washing your hands often
- getting enough sleep
- eating a healthy diet
- avoiding close contact with sick family or friends
- exercising regularly
- reducing stress
Although most colds don’t cause problems for a fetus, you should take the flu more seriously. Flu complications increase the risk of premature delivery and birth defects. Get immediate medical help if you experience the following symptoms:
- dizziness
- difficulty breathing
- chest pain or pressure
- vaginal bleeding
- confusion
- severe vomiting
- high fever that isn’t reduced by acetaminophen
- decreased fetal movement
The
CDCrecommends treating pregnant people with flu-like symptoms immediately with antiviral medications. Call your doctor’s office if you have any questions or you’re not sure your symptoms are worrisome.
Takeaway
Getting sick while pregnant can be particularly unpleasant, and you might wonder whether it’s safe to take OTC medications to ease your symptoms. Generally, doctors recommend avoiding medications in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If you’re currently taking medication for a condition or it’s after 12 weeks, and you want to take something to reduce cold or flu symptoms, it’s a good idea to talk with a doctor about what’s safe and what you should avoid.
Last medically reviewed on March 9, 2017
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- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Health
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Gossman, G. L., Robbins, R. A., & Rennard, S. I. (2000). Chicken soup inhibits neutrophil chemotaxis in vitro.
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Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mar 9, 2017
Medically Reviewed By
Michael Weber, MD
Jul 17, 2015
By
The Healthline Editorial Team
Edited By
Nizam Khan (TechSpace)